The Ascension of the Lord (May 12, 2024)

This weekend, the Catholic Women’s League are collecting diapers, pull ups, wipes, diaper cream or vaseline, juice boxes, school snacks, cash or gift card donations after all Masses for The Women’s and Children’s Shelter of Barrie. 

Thank you for your support!

Praying for the Sick and Faithful Departed

If you or a family member is sick please let us know and we shall add their name to our prayer list which is posted in the gathering space of the church.

We remember in prayer those who have died recently including: Evelyn Butcher and Mary Lynne McErlean.

Visiting the Hospital: if you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office to inform us. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you.

Vitamin F: Sunday: The Lord’s Day 

Tuesday May 14^th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites all of the baptized to rediscover the meaning of the liturgical year and of Sunday, The Lord’s Day. You are invited to join us on May 14^th at 7:00 p.m.as we rediscover our understanding of Sunday: The Lord’s Day.  All are welcome to attend this time of catechesis, conversation and prayer. We will have some simple refreshments available and conclude by 8:30 p.m. All are welcome.

The Feast of Pentecost: May 18 /19, 2024 Wear Red!

Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter season.  We celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the beginning of the Church.  This day is often described as the ‘birthday of the Church’.  All parishioners are invited to add to our celebration of Pentecost by wearing red to church.  There are many different shades of red – the vibrant colour and the different shades will be a visual reminder to us of the diversity of our God given gifts and talent. 

Celebrating Confirmation

Bishop Boissonneau will celebrate Confirmation at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21^st and Thursday, May 23^rd. 

All candidates and sponsors are to arrive by 6:40 p.m.   

If you have any questions / concerns please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) or David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org)

ShareLife and World Communications Day

On this World Communications Day, your support of ShareLife is improving the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

“If you ever wonder what impact you are making – you are sending Deaf kids to an accessible American Sign Language (ASL) camp in the summer; you are connecting Deaf kids with Deaf mentors; you are inspiring Deaf kids to achieve their dreams; you are teaching family members ASL so they can communicate with their Deaf children. When you give, it goes a long way.” – Kelly Mackenzie, Silent Voice

Our parish goal is $136,500.00

We have raised over $57,774 to date.

The next ShareLife Sunday is June 2^nd.

Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

All Adults 55+ - Ministry with Maturing Adults

All are welcome to attend the various sessions offered for those in the second half of life. 

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. For details regarding registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7^th on Zoom. All are welcome! If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115).

Cards / Bid Euchre: all are welcome to participate.  Lessons will be provided for those new to Bid Euchre! 

Join us in the parish hall on Thursday, May 16^th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Simple refreshments are provided.

The Role & Importance of a Power of Attorney and Will / Estate Planning - Join us for an informative session on Wednesday, May 22^nd from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The session will be led by: Robert Galloway, Partner with DOOLEY LUCENTI. All are welcome!

Hold the Date: Wednesday, June 19^th: Celebrating the Gift of Years!  

Join us for a potluck lunch as we celebrate Seniors’ Month and give thanks to God.  Details to follow.

Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children

We will celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word with children on Sunday, May 26, June 9 and June 23 during the 12 noon Mass. All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate. The children and leaders are sent after the Opening Prayer and they return during the Preparation of the Gifts.  If you are interested in becoming a leader or have questions please contact David at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

Classic Movies at St. Mary’s Parish

Join us on Thursday, May 23rd at 2:00 p.m.

We will be showing the hilarious Born Yesterday (1950), an Academy Award winning comedy all about the power of knowledge as a junk dealer hires a tutor (William Holden) to teach his not-so-smart girlfriend (Judy Holliday) proper etiquette while trying to make a crooked business deal.

Snacks are included and all are welcome! Information?  Please contact David dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

Chalice Education Weekend – May 25^th/26^th, 2024

Chalice is a Canadian Catholic international charity sponsoring almost 50,000 children and elders in 13 developing countries.  Sponsored children each have unique experiences of poverty, depending on their community and family circumstances.  Chalice’s sponsorship model gives financial decision-making power to the people who know what the child needs best; their parents and guardians.

A Chalice Education Weekend is scheduled for May 25^th and 26^th and a volunteer will be speaking after all Masses on the benefits of sponsorship and how it helps a child and their families.  For more information please visit https://www.chalice.ca/.

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music. 

Our next gathering is Sunday, June 2nd.^. Registration required. 

EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  EDGE is a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith and most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way.  Our next gathering is Friday, May 24^th.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, May 19^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Dinner provided.

Theology on Tap - At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs). 

Join us on June 23^rd from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

For information on our Youth Ministry or Theology on Tap please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.

Parish Religious Article Store

Open every Sunday between the morning Masses.  Hours of operation are: (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.)

We invite you to visit our parish store.  We have a wonderful selection of items for First Communion, rosaries, crosses, jewelry, books, unique items, greeting cards and lots more!  Why not think ahead and buy that special gift for the next special occasion? 

For further information please call Pat Dunn at 705-718-1853. 

Thank you for your support!